Brief answers to Frequently Asked Questions are provided here with full length answers available by clicking the questions listed.
What is a School Psychologist?
School psychologists primarily work in PK-12 schools helping children succeed academically, emotionally, and socially. They conduct assessments, collaborate with parents, teachers, and administrators, provide counseling, develop behavioral and academic interventions, and take leadership roles to create safe, responsive, and supportive learning environments for all children.
What are the steps to take in the application process?
There is an online application, where you will also provide one set of official transcripts, your resume, a personal statement of intent, and three letters of recommendation. Detailed information and instructions on completing each of these is included in our information packet.
When is the deadline to apply?
The priority application deadline is the first Friday of February. Initial interviews occur in early March and acceptance letters are sent out before the end of March. Accepted applicants are asked to submit their deposits by the priority deadline of April 15th to guarantee a space in the incoming cohort. If space is available for the incoming cohort, applications submitted before March 31st may be considered for a second round of interviews, occurring in early April.
How long is the program?
We offer a complete program in three years. Each cohort begins the program together with one course in Summer Session II and take the same coursework across the three years and graduate together. Practicum (500 hours) and internship (1200 hours) are completed in the schools during the second and third years of the program.
What type of undergraduate or previous academic coursework should I have?
Successful candidates have majored or minored in psychology, child development, education or highly similar field. Other candidates have completed prerequisite coursework in psychology (18 semester units), including statistics and child/adolescent development/learning, among other areas, prior to the first course of the program.
Is there a minimum GPA required for admission?
Generally speaking, a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required. However, there are many ways we evaluate candidates. If your overall undergraduate GPA is under 3.0 equivalency for a semester system, we do still encourage you to apply. Candidates who do not meet the minimum GPA of 3.0 will be contacted by the Admissions office to complete the “Request for Exception to the GPA Requirement Form" once they have applied, along with an accompanying statement, to add as a component in the review and evaluation of your application.
When are School Psychology classes offered?
- Those enrolled in online courses attend online synchronously within similar course timing schedules.
- The first course in the program is in Summer Session II, which typically begins in the first week of July (or last week in June).
- In the Fall and Spring semesters, each course meets once a week, either from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm, or from 7:15 pm to 9:45 pm.
- In the Summer sessions, each 3 unit course meets twice per week either from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, or from 7:15 pm to 10:15 pm.
- 500 hour practicum experiences in Year 2 are typically two days per week.
- 1200 hour internship experiences in Year 3 are typically fives days per week.
- View Academic Calendar
What is the difference between the online program and the on-campus program?
The two cohorts are identical, except that one is offered in a fully online virtual format, rather than attending class in person on campus. All candidates, online and on-campus, are required to reside in California throughout the program. Fieldwork is conducted at an approved California PK-12 school or district. In addition to our in-person/on campus cohort, an online cohort will be offered for incoming candidates each year if there is enough interest in that modality. To assist in our planning, we ask each candidate apply for their first preference of program modality in the application process.
Will my certification apply in other states?
Per Federal Regulation 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v), all LMU School of Education credential/licensure programs meet the California state requirements as specified by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and for the CA Board of Behavioral Sciences as appropriate. The institution has not made a determination as to whether these credential, licensure, and professional preparation programs meet the requirements of states outside of California. If you are interested in practicing outside the state of California, it is recommended that you contact the respective licensing entity of that state to seek information or guidance regarding their licensure and credential requirements in advance to allow for appropriate planning.